For the third time in three seasons, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been injured and will be sidelined for a while.
Ewers left the No. 2 Longhorns’ 56-7 win over UTSA in the second quarter with strained abdominal muscles, and Arch Manning took over as quarterback.
Manning threw for four touchdowns and ran for another after Ewers went out. Ewers later came back to the Texas (3-0) sideline wearing street clothes.
Ewers missed two games in each of the previous two seasons due to shoulder injuries. Coach Steve Sarkisian said this latest injury wasn’t due to contact but did not provide a return timeline for Ewers.
“It remains to be seen the seriousness of that. We don’t think it’s anything structural or broken,” Sarkisian said.
Manning, a highly-rated recruit with an NFL family background, may be the most talked-about backup quarterback in the country. He made an immediate impact once he took over.
Manning threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore on his first play and then ran for a 67-yard touchdown on the next drive.
Before getting hurt, Ewers, who had gained attention as a Heisman Trophy contender after a big win at defending national champion Michigan the previous week, was 14 of 16 passing for 185 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Ewers had just completed a 49-yard pass to tight end Gunnar Helm on a deep throw and then handed off to Quintrevion Wisner before he signaled to the medical staff and laid on his back.
Ewers walked off the field with help from staff and appeared uncomfortable. He covered his face with his jersey as he entered the team medical tent.
